The Union Theater is certainly no stranger to brass players and percussionists, but rarely do these musicians dance on stage.
An explosion of color and sound will take the stage Sunday at 8 p.m. for “Blast!” as part of the University’s Performing Arts Series.
With no plot or dialogue, the show defines itself as music in motion. It travels through full spectrums of color and music, from bluesy blue to salsa red to techno lemon.
“We use the color wheel loosely as an architectural framework,” artistic supervisor Wes Bullock said.
Bullock said the color wheel inspires emotions and their associated musical genres, ranging from classical to jazz to rock ‘n’ roll to techno-pop music.
“It’s a little bit like Cirque du Soleil meets Tiger Band,” said Michael Bellinger, assistant to the dean and director of operations for the School of Music.
Bellinger is also on the committee for the University’s Performing Arts Series that chooses shows such as Blast! to perform on campus.
Blast! falls into the same genre as Stomp and Blue Man Group called “noise theater,” Bullock said.
“It is rooted to American drum and bugle corps, as Riverdance is to Irish clogging,” he said.
Blast! originally opened at the Apollo Theatre in London in 1999 and debuted on Broadway in 2001. That same year, the production garnered two Emmy awards for “Best Special Theatrical Event”and “Best Choreography.”
The show evolved from one of the most popular and most successful drum corps in history, Star of Indiana.
Jim Mason was the corps’ director when it won the 1991 Drum Corps International World Championships.
Mason has shaped the evolution of Star of Indiana from a competitive, 128-member drum corps to a theatrical show that brings the power, passion and precision of outdoor pageantry to the stage.
Bullock said Mason refers to Blast! as “Fantasia live,” referring to Walt Disney’s animated masterpiece.
There are more than 30 performers who are divided into three sections: brass players, percussionists and a visual ensemble.
Along with the complex body movements and drill of the musicians is the visual ensemble, which is akin to the stage version of a colorguard.
Members spin not only traditional flags, rifles and sabres but also non-traditional props. High tosses and dance elements are incorporated into the choreography.
Bellinger said he is a longtime fan of Blast!
He has been involved with the marching arts for much of his life and directed a competitive high school marching band in Virginia for 15 years.
His students competed in winterguard and indoor percussion activities, which have helped inspire and provide performers for the production.
Bellinger saw Blast! when the show came to New Orleans recently.
“It will completely blow you away,” he said. “There is so much to watch.”
Bullock said the wide variety of musical styles and creative staging make the show entertaining for all ages.
“There’s something for everyone from 4 to 84,” he said.
In the end, the only way to understand the production is to see it, he said.
“It is sort of like trying to describe the taste of something,” Bullock said. “The only way to know is to taste for yourself.”
—-Contact Lauren Walck at [email protected].